Automatic boiler-feeder



No. 607,286. Patented July 12, I898.

J. H. SHARP.

AUTOMATIC BOILER FEEDER.

(Application filed F011. 2, 1897.)

(N0 Model.)

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JOSHUA H. SHARP, OF MADISONVILLE, TEXAS.

AUTOMATIC BOILER-FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 607,286, dated July 12,1898.

Application filed February 2, 1897. Serial No. 621,614. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSHUA H. SHARP,a citizen of the United States,residing at Madisonville, in the county of Madison and State of Texas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AutomaticBoiler-Feeders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to automatic boilerfeeders, and has for itsobject to provide simple, novel, and efficient means whereby the How ofthe feed-water to the boiler may be automatically regulated, at the sametime providing for the maintenance of the waterlevel in the boiler attwo or more gages.

The invention also contemplates the employment of a steam-whistle, bymeans of which, in the event of the failure of the pump to work, thelowering of the water in the boiler beyond the safety-point may beaudibly indicated.

The detailed objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed outin the course of the ensuing description.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a boilerequipped with the automatic feed mechanism. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailview of one of the disks providing for the adjustment of the mechanismto different water-levels. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the opposingdisks,showin g the means for adjusting both disks with relation to eachother.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in thedifferent figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the boiler of any usual orpreferred construction, and 2 the steam supply pipe which com municatestherewith.

3 designates a pipe or tube which extends through one side of the boilerand is fixedly secured thereto and through which passes a rock-shaft 4,provided at its inner end with the angular extension 5, to the free endof which is secured a float 6, adapted to rest uponthe'water containedin the boiler and adapted to operate the rock-shaft 4- as the waterrises or falls.

Connected to the outerend of the rock-shaft 4 is a lever 7, to the outerend of which is pivotally connected one end of the link or rod 8, whichextends to and connects with the stem 9 of the valve arranged in andcontrolling the supply-pipe 2, or said rod 8 may connect with the pumpfor throwing the latter into and outof operation. The connection betweenthe rock-shaft 4 and lever 7 consists of two disks 10 and 11, which arearranged flatwise and have their adjacent meeting surfaces serrated orribbed, as indicated at 12, so as to engage positively with each otherand prevent their relative rotation when firmly clamped together. Theouter disk 10 is grooved, as indicated at 13, to receive the inner endof the lever 7, and is provided with a round central opening 14, bywhich it is rotatably mounted upon the rock-shaft l. The inner disk 11is provided with a square bore or opening 15, adapted to fit upon acorrespondingly-squared portion of the rock-shaft l, whereby said innerdisk is caused to turn with the rock-shaft; The outer disk 10 may beheld upon the shaft at by means of a nut screwed upon the outerextremity of said shaft, the said nut serving to bind the two disksfirmly upon each other, while at the same time loosening said end theouter disk may be turned with relation to the inner disk for adjustingthe relative angles of the levers 5 and 7. The outer disk 10 alsocarries a radially-projecting arm 16, from which a cord or otherflexible connection 17 extends upwardly to the stem of the whistle 18,arranged at the upper end of the vertical tubular extension 19 of thepipe or tube 3. In the event of the valve-controlling mechanism gettingout of order the float 6 in falling will vibrate the arm 16, therebydrawing upon the connection 17 and operating the stem of the whistle, soas to audibly indicate that the water in the boiler has descended belowthe safety-point. The outer disk 10 also carries an indicator 20, thefree end of which moves in front of the segmental plate or dial 21,having numerals represented thereon and denoting the level of the waterin the boiler thus enabling the attendant to ascertain at a glance theheight of the water.

In operation the float 6 rises and falls with the water in the boilerand in descending operates the rock-shaft 4 and lever 7, thusreciprocating the rod or link 8 and opening the Valve in the supply-pipeor starting the pump. As the water enters the boiler and the Waterleveltherein rises the float 6 is elevated, and thus through the medium ofthe interposed connections referred to either closes the valve of thesupply-pipe or throws the pump out of operation, as the case may be.

As before stated, in the event of the valve or pump controllingmechanism getting out of order the connection 17 will open the steamportto the whistle 18, causing the latter to be sounded and warning theattendant.

By means of the disks 10 and 11 the relative angles of the cranks 5 and7 may be adjusted for enabling any desired water-level to be maintainedin the boiler in a manner Q 1 specification in the presence of twosubscribthat will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a steam-boiler, of V a rock-shaft extending intotheboiler, a float boiler, a float connected to the inner end of saidrock-shaft for turning the latter, a disk fast on the outer end of saidshaft, a second disk rotatably mounted on said shaft, the said disksbeing provided on their adjacent surfaces with interlocking ribs orserrations, a crank carried by said outer disk, and a connection betweensaid crank and the watersnpply-controlling mechanism, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed this ing witnesses.

JOSHUA II. SHARP. \Vitnesses:

XV. WV. SHARP, A. C. BRADFORD.

